Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Bursting at the seams ...

Literally around here lately ... I've only gained 3-4 lbs so far and am 14 1/2 weeks along, but man are my pants getting tighter by the minute. My work pants, which were already a little snug due to a lack of exercise recently, are totally un-buttonable most days and my "comfy jeans" are getting really close. Thank goodness for the Bella Band during the day and lounge pants at home! And due to changes on the top by shirts aren't fitting the way they used to and I'm going to be at risk for baring my midriff anyday now ...

I'll be honest ... before I was pregnant maternity clothing seemed grand ... I mean, you get a new wardrobe, lose buttons and zippers and let's face it, most pregnant women look cute as a button ... until it's your own waistband that's expanding. Don't get me wrong, I'm still excited, I think I'm just in the "in between" phase where my clothes are tight, but manageable, and maternity clothing seems like I'm buying something three people could share. I branched out this past weekend and bought a few shirts with my Mother-in-law in tow, but when the sales lady asked if I needed to look at pants I firmly stated "I'm not ready to go there just yet." And don't even get me started on that "belly" they had hanging in the fitting room. I put that thing as a test and it seriously looked like I'd just shoved a pillow under my shirt - totally ridiculous ... if that's what I'm going to look like in a few months, I'm really nervous.

I have found lots of maternity sites online, Old Navy/GAP for home / lounging basics, Hot Mama, Ann Taylor, Asos and Nordstrom for work wear ... but it seems that the actual department in the stores are very small with horrible selection and online is the way to go ... and since I have no idea what size to order, I get even more overwhelmed. I probably have shopping carts with a few items loaded at each of the above stores, but am too afraid to pull the trigger.

So, you Moms out there ... any advice? Favorite shops? Sizing words of wisdom? Anyone willing to take me under their wing and force me to shop ( ha ha ... well, kind of )?

6 comments:

Danielle said...

Oh girl I feel your pain. I remember wanting to shop for the clothes too but felt silly even going in the stores until I was showing and showing quite a bit. I feel like I already look 12, so the salespeople probably would have stared holes through me. Nonetheless, I'd advise you to check out the Gap outlet. Brooke and I both found some basics there that got us through. I'd also advise you to not go overboard with your buying. Of course this is coming from your most frugal friend, so you not feel the same. Trust me though, you'll want these clothes to go away in the end as quickly as they came!

In terms of sizing, I was able to stay in the same size the whole pregnancy. With the ambiguous S,M,L sizing, there's quite a bit of wiggle room. Plus, they expand, so that helps too!

You're right about online sites having more of a selection. Old Navy and Target were my go-to places but I didn't have much luck with either the second time around. There's a blog I follow that posts outfits and such with their corresponding stores/sites. I'll look up the URL and send it to you tomorrow.

I was thinking about you this weekend and wanted to tell you to be sure to take lots of belly progress pictures. Even if you don't post them here, it will be fun to look back and see how far you've come. Plus, if you ever have a second, it will be nice to compare. Enough of my great wisdom!

Megan said...

I found great jeans and bottoms at Kohls actually. I splurged on one good pair of jeans, cause that's what I wear most. If you're mostly in work pants, then get those, but Kohls actually had a pretty good selection.
As for tops, Target's Liz Lange worked great. I love their tank tops for layering, some of which I still wear. However their thinner material layering tops are crap.
Stay away from Motherhood Maternity for all things maternity. They are just poorly made and not that cute, especially nursing items. I agree with the gap outlet advise, most of my nicer tops came from there(some of which you have on loan)
As far as size, I just went with the size I am normally. just try them on and see how much room you have to go in them and judge that way. If you try to assess how big you'll be so that you can wear them throughout, forget it. That last month is gonna be nothing but t shirts and sweatpants. :)

Lisa said...

I'm sorry Jen. No words of wisdom. Just empathy. The whole maternity clothing thing just sucks. I would even have to get bigger shoes because my feet would grow one size. And bigger bras and bigger underwear. Sigh.

Megan said...

Well, Lisa, it helps if you're a petite little thing in the first place, much like you and Jen are.

:)

Jen said...

Thanks ladies! I'm heading to the Gap Outlet in NKY this weekend to see about some basics and whatever else they have. I am sure that once I take the plunge I won't go back and am so happy I have such great "guidance counselors"!!

Ms. Thomas said...

Leiah uses my regular clothes as her maternity ones... that may make you feel better!